PHILADELPHIA – Former University of Denver head men's lacrosse coach Bill Tierney will come out of retirement to coach in the professional game starting this summer after being named the head coach and the general manager of the Philadelphia Waterdogs on Thursday [PLL RELEASE].
 
"I want to thank Paul and Mike Rabil and the PLL for affording me this remarkable and exciting challenge," Tierney said in the PLL release. "Having coached at all levels of our game, working with the world's best professional players as a GM and Head Coach is a unique opportunity. The Waterdogs have a great culture and history of success in the league and I look forward to helping the team continue on that path." 
 
Tierney will make his return to Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium in week nine of the regular season from August 9-11. Fans can place a deposit for tickets for that weekend by clicking here. Former Pios Jack Hannah and Ethan Walker are on the current Waterdogs roster, winning the PLL title in 2022 and finishing as runners-up in 2023.
 
"We're excited to unveil a monumental addition to the Philadelphia Waterdogs family as one of lacrosse's most esteemed head coaches, Bill Tierney, joins our ranks," Paul Rabil, Co-Founder and President of the Premier Lacrosse League, said. "With a remarkable seven NCAA Championships, Coach Tierney embarks on a groundbreaking mission—to become the first to win both a college and professional championship as head coach. The City of Brotherly Love and our devoted Waterdogs fans will get to witness Tierney's coaching debut this June, marking the commencement of a multi-year partnership."
 
Tierney finished his 39-year college head coaching career with a 439-152 record, including a 167-59 mark with the Crimson and Gold. In 2015, Tierney led the Pioneers to their first National Championship, and his record seventh national title overall.
 
In his head coaching career, Tierney made 30 trips to the NCAA Tournament, 25 appearances in the national quarterfinals, 15 DI Championship Weekend appearances, nine trips to the national title game and the aforementioned seven times on top of the podium.
 
The two-time National Coach of the Year won 14 Ivy League Championships with Princeton and three ECAC and seven BIG EAST regular season crowns in the Lacrosse Capital of the West.
 
Bill Tierney 2023 Clips:
Retirement Announcement
The Athletic: Lacrosse coaching legend Bill Tierney will retire after seven titles at Denver, Princeton
USA Lacrosse Magazine: Bill Tierney, a Pioneer in Every Sense, Retiring on His Own Terms
Inside Lacrosse: Bill Tierney to Retire After 2023 Season
DU lacrosse coach Bill Tierney's legacy extends far beyond the field
LEGENDARY LACROSSE COACH TIERNEY'S LEGACY STRUNG TIGHTLY TO NLL
Tierney Happy to Get Last First Game Out of the Way
Bill Tierney Day Tribute Video
Bill Tierney Reception Highlights
Matt Brown Tabbed Next Head Coach
Trevor Tierney: A Tribute to Coach T, An Underdog Story
Inside Lacrosse Podcast Reflect on a Career
Cut-Traded-Fired-Retired Podcast with Susie Wargin
 
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